Glasgow City Centre Shows Resilience After Union Street Fire
Glasgow city centre is demonstrating "remarkable resilience" following the recent fire on Union Street, according to new data released by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber reported that daily footfall — the number of people including workers and shoppers in the city centre — has returned to normal levels and is slightly higher than last year.
Footfall, which measures the number of people entering shops or shopping areas within a given timeframe, experienced a significant decline after the fire on 8 March. The incident caused major disruptions to train services and local bus routes.
Currently, a large portion of Gordon Street, along with sections of Union Street and Renfield Street, remains closed as work continues on the fire-damaged structures.
The fire destroyed a notable Victorian building and led to the closure of Central Station, Scotland's busiest railway hub.
Businesses directly impacted by the fire — including those whose premises were destroyed or unable to open due to road closures — are eligible for compensation of up to £25,000 from an emergency fund.
Business leaders have been closely monitoring the situation to assess whether customers have been deterred from visiting shops, restaurants, and other attractions due to the disruption.
On Monday 9 March, the day following the fire, footfall in the city centre was recorded at just 79,000, representing a 60% decrease compared to the same day in the previous year. This sharp decline is attributed to the complete closure of Central Station after the fire.
By Wednesday 25 March, when train services at Central Station resumed normal operations and the majority of the station reopened, footfall had risen to 193,000 — only 6,000 fewer than the same day last year.
The recovery accelerated over the subsequent weekend.
On Friday 27 March, 214,000 people were present in the city centre, compared to 202,000 on the same day in 2025. Saturday's figures also indicated a year-on-year increase.
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, described the figures as "reassuring."
"As a vital economic asset, Glasgow city centre plays a critical role not only for the city but for Scotland as a whole, and the urgency with which the recovery has been addressed is hugely welcome," he said.
"The city has demonstrated remarkable resilience and the increase in footfall following the fire is a testament to the strength, determination and confidence of both our businesses and the people who continue to visit, work and support the city."
Ongoing Business Concerns Despite Footfall Recovery
A cordon remains in place around the main entrance to Central Station, much of Gordon Street, and adjoining parts of Renfield Street and Union Street.
Some businesses near the cordon have expressed concerns to BBC Scotland about losing passing trade while closures persist.
Paul Waterson, honorary president of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), which represents the hospitality sector, noted that many pubs and restaurants near the cordon continue to face difficulties.
"Although footfall may be back, translating that into profits can be difficult. I don't hear any optimism from publicans and restaurateurs in the area," he said.
He also cautioned that some hospitality venues are "dead" after 22:00.
Despite train services running normally, Waterson mentioned to the BBC that some customers remain affected by disrupted bus routes and challenges in obtaining taxis.
Ewan Macdonald-Russell, deputy head of the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), acknowledged that retailers across Glasgow city centre have undoubtedly lost trade following the fire.
The SRC's March figures, which are being finalised and will be published later this week, are expected to provide a clearer picture of the fire's impact on the city's main retail streets.
Preliminary indications suggest that overall business in Glasgow city centre was flat in March compared to March 2025, while retailers in Edinburgh experienced a rise in trade during the same period.
"We know the fire in Glasgow city centre absolutely hit trade. We believe things are now getting back to normal but it will take businesses a little time to recover," Macdonald-Russell said.
Cordon and Restrictions Still Affect Access and Business Operations
The cordon prevents some businesses in undamaged buildings from reopening, including two supermarkets and a travel agent.
Pedestrians must use alternative routes, such as nearby lanes or Argyle Street, to travel from Central Station to the main shopping area on Buchanan Street.
The cordon was slightly relaxed about a week and a half ago, allowing businesses at its edge — including a nightclub and a Chinese restaurant — to reopen.
Glasgow City Council has not yet provided a timeline for further easing of the cordon.
Current work at the fire site primarily involves clearing rubble. The council may provide updates regarding changes to the cordon in the coming days.
The local authority has allocated £1.25 million from the special emergency fund to support small businesses affected by the fire.
